The true test awaits during training camp

Wes Hodkiewicz

Al from Green Bay, WI

If there is one topic II questioners should avoid at all costs during the dead zone, it is_.

Catastrophizing roster hypotheticals and overthinking the unthinkable.

Roger from West Bend, WI

Loved the story onXavier McKinneyandEvan Williams. In our Packer lifetime, it seems as though we have not very often had elite players at these positions. What a strength to not being forced to become one-dimensional, and of course, the other team's elite players expose that like right now. I also loved the story because I thought of Charles Woodson, one of my all-time favorite players. Most teams talk Super Bowl talk, but how you get there is having the players to get you there. As a fan, I appreciate the work.

The Packers hit a walk-off during the 2024 offseason. Any team would be thrilled to go 2-for-3 when signing a marquee free agent and spending two of your top picks on the same position. Instead, the Packers went 3-for-3 and built the backbone of their defense with McKinney, Williams andJavon Bullard. Best of all, all three have tremendous chemistry with one another. Please be sure tocheck out Mikes storyif you have not read it already.

Jay from Lutz, FL

What made Evan Williams so successful so soon? I understand he has the talent but so do all rookies. I am asking what are the intangibles that made him a Year 1 starter?

Football is an instinctual sport, but I feel like safety is a position that truly rewards players who excel in the unspoken aspects of the game. While it takes time to learn a playbook and grow into your body, having a sixth sense of where to be and when to be there is the tie that binds Williams with Micah Hyde, Nick Collins and all the great Packers safeties who played well as rookies. Williams got it from Day 1. The dude is just a football player.

John from Hutto, TX

Anyone see Evan Williams drive the pace car at Road America yesterday?

The man has been everywhere in Wisconsin this year.

Phil from Madison, WI

Lots of comments from what Vic called the underwear league about how goodJager Burtonlooks and how he's going to take a starter's job, etc. What are the things scouts, coaches, and podcasters are looking at during no pads and no contact that gets them excited about an offensive lineman?

Communication skills and the ability to fulfill his assignment with minimal mental errors. There is only so much you can do below the neck during OTAs and minicamp, but how a player manages the mental aspects of offseason practices matters. Burton aced that first quiz. Now, the true test awaits during training camp.

Ross from Summerville, SC

Gents, isJavon Hargravea Kenny Clark type or something completely different?

Clark majors a bit more in run-defending whereas Hargrave poses a bigger threat in the pass rush, but they are similar players who eat snaps and can do it all on the defensive line.

Carlton from New Haven, CT

Being from the East Coast, I'm figuring my question will never see the light of day, but I'm gonna let it rip! I've been a Packers fan since 1972, and yes, took some serious lumps! But concerningLukas Van Ness, does anyone remember Bryce Paup? It's the same story, good luck Lukas!

Take a collective breath, exhale slowly and let's see what happens in 2026.

James from Appleton, WI

Do you think there might be a silver-lining in not havingMicah Parsonsfor the first month in that, when the Packers get a sizable lead and take Parsons out, the defense will be better able to hold that lead?

You gotta tear a little fiber for muscles to grow stronger, right? If Parsons indeed misses the first month of the season, you hope that experience benefits the Packers' pass rush in the long run. This is an opportunity for those young defenders to show Green Bay's ability to generate steady pressure is more than its superstar.

Glen from Leesburg, VA

As Family Night isn't an official game, will there be tailgate parties going on prior to the scrimmage? It will be my family's first trip to Lambeau, so I want to make sure we are handling the expectations properly. The Dude abides.

There were people tailgating in the parking lot when I stopped by Lambeau Saturday to grab something from my office. So, yes, you can still expect plenty of tailgate parties. Locals shan't need reason to open their flatbeds.

Tallon from Sri Lanka

This is Tallon from Colorado, spending some time in Sri Lanka working with friends. What was a moment on the field for you that just left you in awe? For me I think of that Rodgers to Davante connection in those later years. It was incredible to watch the unstoppable synergy they had. They would triple team him, but it felt like they were the only two players on the whole field. Something I will never forget and never see again.

It was Aaron to Jordy until it became Aaron to Davante. Enjoy your time in Sri Lanka and congratsyou just produced the 12th and final question for Outsider Inbox.

Troy from Menomonee Falls, WI

Interesting discussion about the SBA, and I'm not trying to get anyone in more trouble. But to better understand its importance to the Packers just look at their pre- and post-parity ('93-'94) record. Pre they were chronically uncompetitive after big money entered the sport in the '70s. Post they quickly became and stayed probably the most competitive team since with a season win average of about 0.632. No other team in league history has done that.

In my experience, there are two types of Packers fans. Those who expect to win and those who understand what it takes to win and that success is not predestined. I was raised as the latter. I heard plenty as a child about what it was like in Green Bay during the 1970s and '80s. I've never cared to live that reality myself.

John from Stevens Point, WI

At this point, barring injury, and maybe a camp surprise or two from a UFA, is the Packers' roster pretty much set? If so, is that a good thing, and a sign the Packers have the depth and talent to make a deeper run in the playoffs this year?

The top 35 may be set but the battle for those final 15-18 roster spots could be the fieriest it's ever been in the Matt LaFleur era.

Patrick from Trabuco Canyon, CA

I had the great pleasure on the Saturday before Father's Day of a meet-and-greet withJordan Love. Not only did he present me with a signed football, but he also recorded a personal greeting for my god-daughter, who is a captain in the U.S. Army and stationed in South Korea. He is such a class act. He was most excited about his first Father's Day with his daughter. He told my buddy, who is a Lions fan, that it was not too late to convert! It was just a great overall experience with a great man.

First, Happy Father's Day to you and all the other Inbox dads out there. Second, not a single word comes as a surprise to this Packers writer. And yes, there's always room for more on the green-and-gold bandwagon, Patrick from Trabuco Canyon's buddy.

Sean from Chicago, IL

Good morning, Insiders! Mike's response about the 2012 season finale reminded me just how dominant Adrian Peterson was. There was literally an achievement in "Madden 2010" to tackle him for a loss three times in a game. Dunno if I've ever seen anything like that in a game since.

That and Devin Hester receiving 100 speed will go down as two of the greatest signs of respect we've seen in the "Madden" era.

Caleb from Knoxville, TN

Three weeks in and the Tom Grossi crew is up to $700,000 raised for St. Jude. Keep cranking Tom, you got this! For the kids!

And he'll be here to wrap it all up this Saturday. I can't wait to join in on the fun.

Pucka from Rochester, MN

With this year's World Cup Tronda ball, the number of sensors to show amazing amounts of data including help in determining offsides, when do you think the NFL will fully embrace this technology in the football versus the minimal use now?

The NFL is crawling toward it, albeit at the pace of the Aston Martin AMR26.

Erik from Anchorage, AK

Please tell Ross from Pine Island, MN, that Packers fan is Erik from Anchorage, AK.

Ross' people, contact Erik's people.

Mark from Westminster, CO

Since you asked Mike, the Padre purchase makes sense for a lot of reasons: If U.S. debt implodes, you want to own scarce, hard assets, versus keep cash. Only 30 MLB teams, very scarce. Padres' attendance: 2.19 million in 2021 to 3.44 million in 2025, a 57% increase. Assume 25% money borrowed at low interest rates playing both sides of rate hike/drop scenario. Average MLB team growth in value since 1990 is 11% annually. Doubling value happens in under seven years. Only "Big four" major sports team in SD. Make sense?

Or maybe just buy the Pikachu Illustrator card and call it a day?

Greg from Perkasie, PA

No Super Bowl since Ask Vic started? Sounds like we gotta suspend II for a year just to see what happens.

You know, for science.

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

Man, that U.S. Open crowd was pretty rough on Wyndham Clark. I don't know how he kept his composure.

I sure wouldn't have. Also, this was the first time perhaps ever I've accurately predicted the winner of a major.

David from Riverside, CA

Oh, believe me, the "Green Bay Sucks" chant isn't just limited to Sox (or Cubs) games. It's become a Chicago thing. The crowd at Soldier Field did the same thing last summer before and after the AC/DC concert. Although it irritated me, my wife and I thought it was funny how the Packers live rent free in all their minds 24/7/365.

Gotta have something to cheer for, I suppose. Have a great week, people.

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